Port of Long Beach to break ground on Gerald Desmond Bridge

Port of Long Beach officials announced Wednesday that they plan to break ground on the Gerald Desmond Bridge replacement project Tuesday.

The $1 billion project will replace the aging span with a new structure that will have towers reaching 500 feet above ground level, additional traffic lanes, a higher clearance to accommodate the new generation of cargo ships, dedicated bicycle paths and pedestrian walkways, including scenic overlooks 200 feet above the water, according to the port.

The development is expected to create about 3,000 jobs a year for the next three years and generate $2billion of regional economic activity, port officials say.